How to Build a Website That Works for You on the Academic Job Market
Turn your personal site into a persuasive asset that supports your academic job market story.
Most young academics start thinking seriously about a personal website only when the job market looms. You google “how to make a website,” check what other people have, pick a template from WordPress or Weebly, and start pasting in your CV. But just like your job application materials, a website isn’t just a box to tick. It’s something that should work for you—something that helps search committees see, quickly and clearly, why your work matters.
Done right, a personal website can give you an edge in a crowded market. Done poorly, it’s just another digital dead end. Here are some key principles to help your site pull its weight.
1. Your Website is a First Impression
If you get shortlisted, the committee will Google you. If you get invited for a campus visit, almost everyone in the department—from senior faculty to graduate students—will look you up. Most won’t bother tracking down your full dossier; they’ll just click whatever comes up first.
That first click is your opportunity. Do you want them to see a bare-bones departmental page with a grainy headshot? Or a clean, professional site that frames your research in one clear line?
Less effective
“I am a PhD candidate in history at X University. I study the American Civil War.”
More effective
“I uncover how ordinary people experienced the American Civil War, using overlooked diaries and letters to tell a new story of conflict.”
The second version gives visitors something to hold onto. It creates curiosity.
Key takeaway
Treat your website as your first impression—it often is.
2. Every Website Needs a Thesis
Think of your website like an article: it needs a thesis. Most academics begin their site with a fact: “I am an assistant professor at…” or “I study…” Facts don’t make you memorable. Arguments do.
Your job documents work hard to convince readers that you are a rising scholar. Your website should do the same. Ask yourself: What’s the single message I want a visitor to leave with?
Instead of
“I study modernist literature.”
Try
“I show how overlooked modernist women writers reinvented what it means to tell history.”
Key takeaway
Don’t just state your employment status or field. Lead with a message that positions you as distinctive.
3. Structure Evidence for the Web
In your job packet, readers are compelled to at least skim your CV, cover letter, and research statement. Online, no one is compelled. They can leave after five seconds. Your site must keep them interested.
That means don’t copy and paste your job docs. Instead, restructure them for the web: short, scannable sections with strong visuals.
Don’t:
Dump your full CV or list every publication.
Do:
- Start with a one-sentence claim about your research program.
- Use subheadings to show the thread connecting your projects.
- Highlight one or two works you’re proud of, with a sentence of plain-English context.
Example for a Research section:
My research explores how scientists use computer models when direct experiments aren’t possible.
I focus on the role of uncertainty in climate science.
Featured work: “When Uncertainty Makes Models Stronger” (PNAS, 2023).
Notice how this version gives a quick map of the program and points to one piece of work without overwhelming detail.
Key takeaway
On the web, less is more. Guide visitors with clarity, not volume.
4. One Page Is Often Enough
If this is your first website as a job seeker, you don’t need to build a sprawling empire. A single, well-structured page is often plenty. Think of it as a digital one-pager for your candidacy.
Suggested sections:
- Hero: Your thesis line + a professional headshot.
- Research: A crisp overview, with 1–2 featured projects.
- Teaching: A short paragraph that shows range and enthusiasm, not a full teaching statement.
- Contact: An email link and, if relevant, links to Google Scholar or ORCID.
Add one clear button in your hero section to guide readers to what matters most. If you’re aiming for R1 research jobs, let it say “See Research.” If you’re focused on teaching colleges, let it say “See Teaching.”
Key takeaway
Don’t overwhelm. Give visitors a simple, clear path.
5. Use the Medium: Design and Interaction
A website is not a PDF. You can use design, visuals, and interaction to your advantage. Good layout makes your work easier to understand and remember.
Instead of: A text list of courses taught.
Try: A clean grid with course titles, each linking to a short description or sample syllabus.
Instead of: A wall of publication titles.
Try: A visual diagram that shows the through-line of your research program.
One of my clients even included a simple “choose your own adventure” interactive game, showing instead of telling how his research matters to different audiences. When he went to give invited talks, people mentioned it specifically—it stuck with them.
Key takeaway
Design isn’t decoration. It’s persuasion.
6. Leave Time for Design, Implementation, and Refinement
Most people underestimate how much thought goes into a professional-feeling site. Beyond the basics, there are dozens of small decisions that affect whether your site feels polished or rushed:
- Choosing a clear domain name (ideally yourname.com).
- Making sure the site works on phones, since anyone may pull it up with their phones.
- Writing in plain language so people outside your subfield can follow.
- Placing your contact info prominently so no one has to dig.
- Testing whether the navigation feels intuitive.
All of this takes time. If you try to throw together a site a week before applications are due, it will look like it. Start early, give yourself space to refine, and ask a colleague or friend to test-drive the site.
Key takeaway
Your website is a long-term asset, not a last-minute add-on. Treat it that way.
Final Thoughts
On today’s job market, your personal website is often the first thing people see—and sometimes the only thing they remember. It’s not just a digital CV. Done right, it’s a persuasive tool that frames your work, reinforces your thesis, and helps you stand out in a crowded field.
Start early. Keep it simple. Lead with your message. And let the design do some of the work for you.
Need a partner before the job market heats up?
We build thesis-led academic sites that translate your research into a clear, memorable story. When you’re ready, we can help you turn this checklist into a flagship presence that search committees remember.
Schedule a consultation